One of the four celebrated religious centre of India, Puri, the abode of Lord Jagannath needs no introduction. According to tradition Puri was once a thickly wooded hill inhabited by the Sabaras (Pre-Aryan and Pre-Dravidian tribes of the Austric linguistic family). The sunny beach at Puri is one of the finest in the world. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is a wonderful experience. It is one of the most popular sea-side resorts where visitors from any part of the globe can comfortably relax.
Puri is a small coastal town located in the state of Odisha, India. There are great tourist spots in Puri and is very famous for its tourist attractions which are discussed below. It is a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and the famous Jagannath Temple. Here are some of the top places to visit in Puri:
This temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus in India and is known for its intricate carvings and ornate architecture. The temple’s main attraction is the annual Rath Yatra festival, where the three deities of the temple, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra, are taken out in a grand procession on beautifully decorated chariots.
The golden sandy beaches of Puri are a perfect setting for relaxation and are popular among tourists and locals alike. The beaches are also famous for their delicious seafood and the colorful beachside markets where you can find traditional Odissi handicrafts, souvenirs, and other items.
This is a traditional village known for its artisans, who are skilled in the creation of Pattachitra paintings, palm leaf engravings, and other traditional crafts. The village is also home to several ancient temples and is a great place to learn about the traditional arts and culture of Odisha.
This temple is located around 35 Kms from Puri and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its intricate carvings and magnificent architecture and is dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. It is considered one of the greatest architectural masterpieces of ancient India.
This is a large brackish water lake located around 60 Kms from Puri. It is a popular spot for bird-watching and boat rides, and you can also spot Irrawaddy dolphins in the lake.
This is a historical site located around 35 Kms from Puri, famous for the temple of Lord Ramachandra, which is believed to have been built by King Chodaganga Deva in the 12th century.
By air to Bhubaneswar, Puri is 62 km from Bhubaneswar, road and rail.
Puri can be visited round the year, but the ideal time, especially for visitors from colder climates, would be from October to March.
Soap Stone, Sea-shell, Pattachitras and Palm Leaf paintings, Horn work, Wood carvings, and Solapith work can be purchased from Puri.
The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometre around. Being the tallest temple (65 metres) in Orissa, it is one of the most magnificent pieces of monuments of India. In front of the main gate stands a 16 sided monolithic pillar (11 metres high), called Aruna Stambha which formally stood in front of the Sun Temple and was brought to Puri during the 18th century A.D. Some of the other important temples are Gundicha, Lokanath, Sunaragauranga, Daria Mahabir and Tota Gopinatt. There are also a number of holy tanks like Narendra, Markandeya, Sweta Ganga and Indradyumna. There are many Monasteries locally known as Mathas also of touristic interest.
The Casuarina fringed Balighai beach is a famous picnic spot. The Sun and fun at the mouth of the river Nuanai is unforgettable.
Brahmagiri is known for the living shrine of Alarnath. Streams of pilgrims visit Alarnath during Anabasara of Lord Jagannath. Nearby is the shrine of Baliharachandi on the solitary sand dunes.
Satyabadi or Sakshigopal is known for the shrine of Lord Sakshigopal. It is believed that the visit to Puri is incomplete without a visit to Sakshigopal. The temple is only 2 km away from the main road leading to Puri and is convenient to visit.
27 km to the south-west of Puri is the temple of Baliharachandi. Situated on a sandy hill near the sea and adjacent to the mouth of the river Bhargavi, Goddess Durga is worshipped here as Baliharachandi. The scenic beauty of this place is ideal for group picnic.
One of the most famous artists village in Orissa, the village of Raghurajpur boasts not only of the exquisite pattachitras and talapattachitras, but also of being the native place of Guru kelucharan Mohapatra, the famed Odissi dancer. Even today, under the tutelage of renowned Guru’s, young boys can be seen practicing the Gotipua dance here. A visit to Orissa would definitely be incomplete without a visit to this little village.
Satapara, a retreat in nature on Chilika Lake, has been thrown open to visitors. Its location near the confluence of the Lake with the Bay of Bengal, and proximity to Puri (52 km), makes it an ideal spot to enjoy Chilika. The thrilling sight of dolphins round the year and abundance of migratory and resident birds in winter make it a preferred place for a vacation with nature.
